Backlash triggered

The ICE directive prohibiting overseas students from taking online-only classes in the US sparked a backlash from elected officials as well as immigrant advocates.

In a letter dated July 9, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J.Markey, Representative Ayanna Pressley and other members of Congress urged the heads of ICE and Homeland Security to withdraw the new policy.

The lawmakers described the policy as "arbitrary", "irrational" and "xenophobic".

The letter stated: "We are concerned that ICE's guidance is motivated not by public health considerations, but rather by animus toward immigrants, with the goal of forcing schools to reopen even as COVID-19 cases are rising, and by a desire to create an illusion of normalcy during this unprecedented public health emergency."

More than 1.1 million foreign students have valid visas in the US, according to the Department of Homeland Security. China was the largest source of international students in the US in the 2018-19 academic year, with 369,548 enrolled in various programs, according to the Institute of International Education in New York.

Cynthia Choi, co-executive director of the advocacy organization Chinese for Affirmative Action, said: "This is no time to be playing politics with our public health or our immigration policy. This reckless maneuver only makes the pandemic situation worse by putting schools and students in an impossible predicament.

"But this administration has shown they are more interested in demonizing immigrants, as well as international students and scholars, especially those from China, to score xenophobic political points."

On May 29, the US government announced it would cancel the visas of thousands of Chinese graduate students and researchers with links to the Chinese military.

Less competitive

Education experts are concerned that the pandemic will make US colleges and universities, which have seen a decline in international enrollment in recent years, less attractive.

Venturini said, "When parents pay for their children to attend a highly prestigious school, they expect an educational experience－not online courses and a digital diploma.

"That experience includes ivy-covered bell towers, grassy quads with marching bands, social clubs and lifelong alumni connections. When brick-and-mortar schools morph into an internet app, that rich educational experience is lost. It remains to be seen if parents will still pay extravagant tuition fees for online degrees."

Mitchell said about 1 million international students attend US colleges and universities annually. They contribute greatly to the country's intellectual and cultural vibrancy, produce an estimated inflow of $41 billion, and support more than 450,000 US jobs.

Venturini said international students usually pay full tuition fees, and schools thrive on this additional money, adding, "Many private universities are dependent on international students to offset their operating costs."

As the discussion on visa restrictions appears to be changing on a daily basis in the US, there will be increased competition for these students as they consider their options to study elsewhere overseas, she said.

Pearl said, "Other countries are actually trying to attract and recruit the brilliant minds that transform the future economy and elevate society, from the sciences to the arts.

"These are the people who relied on our Approval Notices and rearranged their lives months ago. They have options in Australia, Canada, Ireland and other welcoming nations, whose global standing will improve through this inadvertent gift from the US. The effect of this message will be felt for years and possibly decades to come."